STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s intelligence service said Friday it was lowering its terror alert level from “high threat” to “elevated threat,” saying the risk of an attack had subsided.
The Swedish Security Service (Sapo) raised the level in August 2023 to “high threat” — the fourth level on a scale of five — after angry reactions to a series of protests involving desecrations of the Qur'an made the country a “prioritized target.”
“Propaganda against Sweden has subsided and Sweden is not specifically mentioned as a target,” Fredrik Hallstrom, head of operations at the Swedish Security Service, told a press conference.
“We do not see the same intense flow of attack threats directed at Sweden,” he added.
Sapo said it now considered the terror alert level to be at “elevated threat” — the third level on its five-point scale.
Hallstrom cautioned that with “an elevated threat, there is room for a terrorist attack to occur.”
A series of Qur'an burnings across the country — most notably by Iraqi Christian Salwan Momika — in the summer of 2023 sparked outrage in the Muslim world.
It strained relations between Sweden and several Middle Eastern countries, and Iraqi protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad twice in July 2023, starting fires within the compound on the second occasion.
Momika ended up facing charges of inciting ethnic hatred, but in January of this year he was fatally shot in an apartment just hours before the court was due to deliver its ruling.
His co-protester Salwan Najem, also of Iraqi origin, was ultimately found guilty of inciting ethnic hatred during four Qur'an burnings in 2023.
Despite the lowered threat level, Charlotte von Essen, head of Sapo, stressed that “Sweden is in a serious security situation.”
“The worst in many years,” von Essen told reporters.
The Sapo chief pointed to the fact that the war in Ukraine was still ongoing.
“Foreign powers — and Russia in particular — are carrying out extensive security-threatening activities in and against Sweden,” she said.
Swedish intelligence lowers terror threat level
https://arab.news/c32pw
Swedish intelligence lowers terror threat level
New York declares January Muslim American Heritage Month
JEDDAH: The Muslim Council of Elders welcomed the announcement by the State of New York in the United States designating January as a month to celebrate Islamic heritage, noting that the step reflects a deep appreciation for the civilizational, cultural and humanitarian contributions of Muslims, and their role in enriching societies and promoting the values of diversity and coexistence.
In a statement, the council said the announcement embodies a growing awareness of the importance of recognizing cultural and religious diversity as a source of strength for societies, and contributes to fostering a culture of mutual respect and building bridges of understanding among followers of different religions and cultures.
Accordingly, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Jan. 2 issued the first-ever proclamation declaring January as Muslim American Heritage Month across New York State. She also directed 16 state landmarks to be illuminated in green in observance of the month and in celebration of the heritage and culture of Muslim Americans.
“Home to the largest Muslim American population in the nation, New York is proud to join in this month-long celebration, recognizing the values, faith and traditions of our Muslim American communities,” Hochul said. “New York remains committed to being a beacon of hope, tolerance, and inclusivity that celebrates the diversity of its Muslim American population and protects them from Islamophobia, hate, bias, and harm.”
For the first time in state history, January has been proclaimed Muslim American Heritage Month. The designation recognizes the significant contributions Muslim Americans have made throughout history in fields including the arts, sciences, mathematics, technology, literature, music, medicine and philosophy, and encourages New Yorkers to better appreciate and understand the rich cultures, histories and principles of the Muslim American community.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said: “While I was proud to be sworn in as our city’s first Muslim mayor yesterday, Muslims have been part of New York for centuries. We have built small businesses, raised our families, pursued every profession, enriched our culture and cuisine, and been a part of what makes our city what it is today. I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s leadership in recognizing these many contributions and ensuring that every January, Muslim New Yorkers can see ourselves reflected and recognized in a city and state that is also our home.”
16 landmarks will be illuminated in green in honor of Muslim American Heritage Month including One World Trade Center, the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Kosciuszko Bridge, the H. Carl McCall SUNY Building, the State Education Building, the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Empire State Plaza, the State Fairgrounds Main Gate and Expo Center, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge, Grand Central Terminal’s Pershing Square Viaduct, Albany International Airport Gateway, the MTA LIRR East End Gateway at Penn Station, the Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal, Moynihan Train Hall, the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse and Niagara Falls.
New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif said: “As the first Muslim woman elected in New York State, I applaud Governor Hochul’s designation of January as Muslim American Heritage Month. My Muslim identity is inseparable from being Brooklyn-born and raised. From Brooklyn to Buffalo, Muslim New Yorkers reflect the extraordinary diversity, resilience, and contributions that define our state. This recognition is more than symbolic—it affirms that New York’s history and future cannot be told without its Muslim communities, and I am proud to be a Muslim New Yorker.”
New York City Councilmember Yusef Salaam said: “For the first time, New York is proclaiming January as Muslim American Heritage Month and lighting state landmarks green to honor the state’s vibrant Muslim community — and I thank the Governor and the many Muslim advocates who fought to make this recognition a reality. This acknowledgment affirms our deep roots and lasting contributions to the fabric of New York.”
Imam Mansoor Rafiq Umar of the Muslim Community of Bethlehem said: “As a Muslim born in the great state of New York, I carry with me the confidence of ‘One nation under God’ to the same tune as passionate believers of all faiths across America. Honoring the heritage of our people is truly a significant statement by our Governor, Kathy Hochul, that we are a part of the fabric of our nation that undergirds the common threads of goodwill. We are blessed to live in a state with balance in recognizing its diverse demographics, and an administration that engages its people without indulging in otherism. To all those honoring Muslim-American Heritage Month, we stand together, green lights a-lit on every monument, saluting our past giants, honoring our present stewards, and lifting the future leaders yet to come.”
Emgage Metro NY Senior Advisor Dr. Debbie Almontaser said: “As a longtime educator and one who believes in diversity, equity and inclusion, I commend and thank Governor Hochul for inaugurating January as Muslim American Heritage Month in the State of New York. This has been a lifetime dream where every Muslim child will feel acknowledged, heard and valued by their government.”
Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York inaugural president Dr. Khalid J. Qazi said: “The declaration of Muslim American Heritage Month affirms New York’s enduring commitment to diversity, dignity, and inclusion. It honors the rich history, faith, and profound contributions of generations of Muslim New Yorkers whose leadership, service, and innovation strengthen our communities, enrich the fabric of our state and celebrates our shared humanity.”
